Intrapulpal thermal changes during direct provisionalization using various autopolymerizing resins: Ex-vivo study.

Area of Science:

• Dental Materials Science
• Biomaterials Engineering
• Restorative Dentistry

Background:

• Direct provisional restorations utilize resin materials that undergo exothermic reactions.
• Pulp chamber temperature changes during provisional restoration fabrication are influenced by remaining dentin thickness.
• Ex-vivo studies are crucial for evaluating thermal effects in dental procedures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare time-related temperature changes in the pulp chamber during direct provisional restoration fabrication.
• To evaluate the impact of varying remaining dentin thickness on pulp chamber temperature.
• To assess the thermal effects of different autopolymerizing provisional restorative materials.

Main Methods:

• Utilized Cr/Al thermocouples connected to digital thermometers to measure thermal changes in the pulp chamber.
• Investigated three differently prepared teeth with varying dentin thickness (45 samples) and a control group (15 samples).
• Employed three distinct types of autopolymerizing provisional restorative materials.

Main Results:

• Statistically significant differences in peak temperature rise were observed across resin types and tooth preparation groups (p < 0.001).
• Polymethylmethacrylate (DPI) exhibited the highest temperature rise, followed by polyethyl methacrylate (Tempron) and Bis-acrylate composite (CoolTemp).
• Molar full veneer preparations resulted in the maximum temperature rise, followed by molar three-quarter and premolar three-quarter preparations.

Conclusions:

• Autopolymerizing provisional restorative resins vary significantly in their exothermic potential.
• Tooth preparation type influences the degree of temperature rise in the pulp chamber.
• Selecting appropriate provisional restorative resins based on tooth preparation can minimize pulpal thermal trauma.